Tree-Of-Heaven Toxins May Protect Lanternflies

The invasive spotted lanternfly prefers the tree of heaven, which is itself one of North America's worst invasive plants. As it feeds on the tree's sap, the insect may absorb quassinoid compounds and use them as a chemical defense against birds. The tree's wide distribution has also helped the lanternfly spread outside China, reaching 17 eastern states after first appearing in the United States in 2014.

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